Rules of Life, Expanded Edition, The: A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Life

The Rules by Richard Templar

by Richard Templar

The first edition of The Rules of A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Life became a global phenomenon, topping bestseller charts around the world. This revised edition includes nine new rules to take you further, faster. Author Richard Templar brings together 106 practical rules that happy, successful people follow, even if they've never thought about it. These are realistic, commonsense things you can do differently, starting today... small things that make a powerful difference.

 

Templar offers real wisdom

Deciding what's important and what isn't Focusing on changes you really can make Using your intuition Learning positive lessons from your regrets Having great dreams and making practical plans Staying young Forgiving without becoming a pushover

 Follow The Rules of Life. You'll feel better. You'll be a better friend, partner, and parent. And you'll leave the world a better place.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Psychology, Philosophy, Reference, Productivity

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 8, 2005

About the author

Richard Templar is an astute observer of human behavior and understands what makes the difference between those of us who effortlessly glide towards success and those of us who struggle against the tide. He has distilled these observations into his Rules titles. More than 1 million people around the world have enjoyed and now play by Richard Templar's Rules.

Reviews

[Loy Machedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

WARNING - SPOILER

My curiosity to read this book was finally administered last night when I decided to read ‘The Rules of Life’ by British Author Richard Templar.

It is divided into the following parts:
(1) Rules for You,
(2) Partnership Rules,
(3) Family and Friends Rules,
(4) Social Rules,
(5) World Rules.

This book isn’t a revelation, it’s a reminder.
It reminds you that the Rules of Life are universal, obvious, simple. Do them, they work”.
As the author best explains: “What you will find is good old-fashioned common sense. There is nothing here you don’t already know.

On the plus side, this book is a very easy read.
On the negative side, this book offers nothing new.

Overall Rating
I would say without a doubt, it was an enjoyable read and I would rate it at a 6 out of 10.

Here is the outline of the different rules he has stated in the book.

Part I: Rules for you
1. Keep it under your hat, don’t preach, propagate or even mention this
2. You’ll get older but not necessarily wiser; wisdom isn’t about not making mistakes but about learning to escape afterward with our dignity and sanity intact
3. Accept what is done is done and you need to just get on with things
4. Accept yourself. You don’t have to improve or change or strive for perfection. Quite the opposite. Just accept.
5. Know what counts and what doesn’t. There are some things in this life that is important and a whole lot of things that aren’t
6. Dedicate your life to something. A yardstick to measure How and what I am doing and where I am going
7. Be flexible in your thinking. Try not to see life as an enemy, but as a friendly sparring partner
8. Taking an interest in the outside world is about developing you, rather than for the world’s benefit
9. Be on the side of the angels, not the beasts
10. Only dead fish swim with the stream. Life is meant to be a series of struggles and lulls
11. Be the last to raise your voice
12. Be your own adviser, intuition.
13. No fear, no surprise, not hesitation, no doubt
14. I wish I’d done that, and I will. The world is divided into those who look at others enviously and those who look at others as a motivational tool
15. Count to 10, you’ll get an appropriate response
16. Change what you can change, let go of the rest. Dedicate yourself personally to things you can change, areas where you can make a difference.
17. Aim to be the very best at everything you do, not the second best. Failing is fine. Aiming for the second best isn’t.
18. Don’t be afraid to dream
19. Don’t dwell on the past. Live here, live now. Live in this moment.
20. Don’t live in the future. Dreams are great but reality is fine too
21. Get on with life, it’s whooshing past. You have to give it a bit of thought if you want to get the best out of it
22. Dress like today is important. People will react differently to you if you dress as if it matters.
23. Have a belief system. You don’t have to prove it to anyone else, justify it, even show it
24. Leave a little space for yourself each day, where you do absolutely nothing
25. Have a plan, or it will always remain a dream
26. Have a sense of humor
27. Choose how you make your bed. Do the right thing every time, you know what it is
28. Life can be a bit like advertising, you’ll never know from which bits of effort comes the best reward.
29. Get used to stepping outside your comfort zone. Expanding your comfort zone makes you feel good about yourself.
30. Learn to ask questions
31. Have dignity. It’s about showing self-respect and having quiet self-esteem
32. It’s ok to feel big emotions
33. Keep the faith
34. You’ll never understand everything.
35. Know where true happiness comes from, it’s right in yourself
36. Know when to let go, when to walk away.
37. Look after yourself
38. Maintain good manners in all things
39. Prune your stuff frequently
40. Remember to touch the base
41. Draw the lines around yourself
42. Shop for quality, not price
43. It’s okay to worry, or to know how not to
44. Staying young is trying out new tastes, new places to go, new styles
45. Throwing money at a problem doesn’t always work
46. Think for yourself
47. You are not in charge
48. Have something in your life that takes you out of yourself
49. Only the good feel guilty
50. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all

Part II: Partnership rules
1. Accept the differences; embrace what you have in common
2. Allow your partner the space to be themselves
3. Be nice, go back to square one and start being courteous again
4. You have to be prepared for them to be independent, strong , out in the world separate from you
5. Be the first to say sorry
6. Go that extra step in trying to please them
7. Always have someone – or something – that is pleased to see you
8. Know when to listen and when to act
9. Have a passion for your life together
10. Make sure your lovemaking is making love
11. Keep talking, it helps us understand, listen, share and communicate
12. Respect privacy
13. Check you both have the same shared goals
14. Treat your partner better than your best friend
15. Contentment is a high aim
16. You don’t both have to have the same rules

Part III: Family and friends rules
1. If you are going to be a friend, be a good friend. The most important bit is being there, not just for the good times
2. Never be too busy for loved ones
3. Let your kids mess up for themselves – they don’t need any help from you. You can’t steer them right all the time or they’d never learn for themselves
4. Have a little respect and forgiveness for your parents
5. Give your kids a break
6. Never lend money unless you’re prepared to write it off
7. There are no bad children
8. Be up around people you love
9. Give your kids responsibility
10. Your children need to rebel to leave home
11. Your kids will have friends you don’t like
12. Your role as a kid, you have a duty to be courteous, thoughtful and cooperative toward your parents
13. Your role as a parent, supportive, encouraging, kind, patient, educational, loyal, honest, caring, loving

Part IV: Social rules
1. We’re all closer than you think. The difference between us is so very little when you wipe away the veneer we all wear
2. It doesn’t hurt to forgive
3. It doesn’t hurt to be helpful
4. Take pride in what we do collectively
5. What’s in it for them
6. Hang out with positive people
7. Be generous with your time and information
8. Get involved
9. Keep the moral high ground. It tastes a lot better than revenge
10. Have a plan for your career
11. Learn to see your community as part of a bigger picture
12. Look at the long-term ramifications of what you do for a living
13. Be good at your job

Part V: World rules
1. Be aware of the damage you are doing
2. Be for the glory, not the degradation
3. Be part of the solution, not the problem
4. Check what history would say about you
5. Keep your eyes open at all times
6. Not everything can be green
7. Put something back
8. Find a new rule everyday – or occasionally at least

[مجدلية اندروماخي · Rating 2 out of 5]

كتاب جيد لمرحلة المراهقة او الشباب المبكر..نافع لتوخي مشاكل المستقبل ,ربما..ولكن ليس لمواجه الواقع او حل اشكالياته.جاء على شكل مقاطع وهو مناسب للشخصية الملولة او التي تبحث عن قراءة سريعة وافكار مختصرة .هو من الكتب المناسبة للقراءة في اوقات الانتظار وليس للتعمق..قواعد سهلة وواضحة.
سهل المنال..سهل الفهم..سهل التطبيق

[Alain Burrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

The expanded edition of "The Rules of Life: A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Life" by Richard Templar is a great read for practical, motivational, and inspiring advice on how to live. Templar says if you follow these rules, you'll feel better, you'll be a better friend, partner, and parent, and that you'll leave the world a better place. I think he's right, and this book of rules is a great handbook of how to live, how to treat people, and how to be a better member of society.

I'd already read the expanded edition of Richard Templar's "The Rules of Work: A Definitive Code for Personal Success," so I pretty much expected more of the same, and that is what this book consisted of. If you like one of these books, you'll most likely enjoy the other. If you don't like one, skip the other because they are similar. Similar in that they consist of short essays on Templar's "Rules." This book, "The Rules of Life," contains 106 such rules, divided into four parts. These parts cover these general areas: Rules for You, Partnership Rules, Family and Friends Rules, and Social Rules.

I liked the book because the rules make sense, and Templar acknowledges that every rule might not be for everyone. However, following these rule, or at least attempting to, can definitely improve one's life. And yes, some are very easy and you may have heard them from your mother when you were young, such as rule number 56 "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." But that's what makes this book so good. It is essentially reminding us of many things that we probably know, but don't think about, or more likely, don't put into action, nearly enough. At least I know I don't follow some of these rules as often as I'd like.

So reading this book reminds us of things we should do, ways we should act, and how we should treat others. If we think about these rules, and then act on them, we undoubtedly will enjoy more and reap rewards where those who don't follow the suggestions in this book will fall short and be more remorseful about failed relationships, unrecognized potential, and a general dreary outlook on portions of life.

Each rule fills two pages, and on the second page there is a box with a key point in large print. Templar puts in personal examples and throws in a bit of humor here and there, making this an easy and enjoyable book to read. I really believe Templar is right when he says the secret to life comes down to choice, and I do believe the guidance in this book will help readers make better choices.

I suggest a person read this book as I did, and that was only a couple of rules at a time at most, and then reflect a bit on how the rule might best serve you. Some rules you may wish to dismiss, and that's okay. With 106 good suggestions, just implementing a portion of them will make a difference in your life. Absorb and implement those that are useful and applicable to your situation and begin to live better, happier and be more successful.

[Stephanie Tan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Much of what this book touches on is basic common sense. In one way, it's an okay - although very basic - reminder of behaviors and mindsets most people already have.

I have two main gripes about the book.

1) There are 105 Rules, and they're all over the place. I didn't get much of a sense of connection between these rules, many were similar to others, and just weren't very concise. The book does not really take you anywhere.

2) The tone of the book feels as if the author is speaking down to the reader, like a child, or someone who doesn't know or think much. The author also repeatedly apologizes for himself and what he writes, as if he feels the reader would be judging him or that some bits of what he is writing would be found offensive.

I appreciate books that are positive and strive to better people's lives, and I know this was a good attempt. But I didn't get much from it, and wouldn't read it again.

In conclusion, this is a book of total common sensibility, although common sense is not all that common anymore. Simply, be kind to others, share, know right from wrong, listen to your gut, you know, all those things you learned in kindergarden. I'm glad I only borrowed it and not bought it.

[Z A N · Rating 4 out of 5]

أول كتاب في التنمية البشرية بعد ثلاث سنوات من تركها !

حقيقةً زعلانة من نفسي لأني خصصت قراءاتي لمجال معين الفترة الأخيرة وتركت تطوير و تنمية الذات، المعلومات وإن كانت مكررة نحن نحتاج نذكر فيها نفسنا بين كل فترة والثانية، في الأخير الإنسان ما حيتوقف لمرحلة معينة عن التطوّر والتنمية لنفسه!

أخترت الكتاب ظناً مني أنه خفيف لفترة كنت فيها مزدحمة، الكتاب 300 صفحة ما أعتقد أنه بخفّة كتب التنمية والتطوير!، الجميل والمميز في الكتاب أنه بيعطيك قواعد على عِدة اصعدة : على الصعيّد المهني، الشخصي، العائلي، الإجتماعي ..

المعلومات كثيرة لكن لم يُسهب في الكلام وهذا شيء ممتاز، بعض القواعد مبنية على تفاصيل صغيرة ما بننتبه لها عادة وهذا أكثر ما نال إعجابي في الكتاب، الكتاب بيذكرك بقوانين واُسس ويرجعنا للطريق المستقيم في الحياة .

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was one page that will stick with me as a rule for my life forever now.
Books like this are worth it even if you only take one lesson away.
There's something in here for everyone I am sure.

[Dima Alhout · Rating 3 out of 5]

كتاب بسيط في طرحة عميق في نقاشه. يركز على امور يومية واهداف بسيطة الا ان تاثيراتها كبيرة. مهمة الكاتب حسب رايي كانت تاكيد امور فطرية يعيشها كل البشر الا انهم يمكن ان ينسوها في خضم الصغوطات والحياة .

[Ibrahim Sahab · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب متميز أنصح جداً بقراءته غير السريعة ( كتاب ثانوي )، اقرأ في كل يوم 5 قواعد وطبقها
ستشعر بتغيّر كبير في حياتك ، الترجمة لا بأس بها

[Miltiadis Michalopoulos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't finished it yet, but I think it is a very good book so far. I give it three stars. The problem with people is that they are expecting too much from books. If you expect salvation through reading a book, then you are in the wrong direction. A book is just a book. There is nothing new in it. No revelation of a Big Truth. I knew that from the start. But this book has many small "truths" that we often forget and we need someone to remind us in a simple way. That's what this book is about, and that's what I like in it. There are more than a hundred little "rules" that we need to keep in mind. Because we tend to forget them. I think I will read it again and again many times.

[Alistair Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book in Heathrow Airport.

I have no idea why I tend to buy self-help books (or management books, another genre this applies to) in airports, apart from the broadening of standards that tends to apply when facing an eight-hour transatlantic flight, but I do; so it goes. This one, however, I didn't read on the flight - I think I bought quite a few books that time - so here I am coming to it much later.

Unfortunately, while I have found some good and interesting reads in this genre, I can't say this is one of them. Its greatest weakness is actually something it says itself, on page xiv: "What you will find is good old-fashioned common sense. There is nothing here you don't already know."

Which may well be good in some contexts, but I'm afraid does not make for a terribly fascinating book. Indeed, I think I would almost have to say verging on the platitudinous.

I bought his Rules of Work at the same time, so we'll see how that goes. In the meantime, though, I think I'll stick with the Amoral Series.

( http://weblog.siliconcerebrate.com/ce... )

[Reda Shokr · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is not a revelation, more a reminder!!

Mr. Templar really articulates a realistic guidance to live a quite, fulfilled, and somehow a happy life. It is a perfect book for young people or who are seeking towards success and achieving their dreams. One of the most significant things within the book, being long paragraphed articles! Every subject has only a page and half. Additionally, it is a good book for wise methods to overcome the downs of life.

Enjoy it! Enjoy your life

[Craig Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow took me nearly a year to get through this.

It’s alright nothing special, if you’ve got good common sense I wouldn’t bother reading this book, it’s really not life changing.

[Sara Sherzad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok to be honest I couldn't finish the book though everything in it is so beautiful and so true but I don't like such books with millions of topics and really small talks about the importance of each!...I read more than half of it but I just can't get out from it with something amazing , my problem is that it's not a deep book with creative thinking and so (though the author says it's like that from the very start! Appreciate your honesty)...

I think someone else would actually like it.

[radioparesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consice and to the point. Agreed with pretty much all of the rules. Narration was simple and elaborate.


کتاب یکسری قوانین رو که زندگی رو میتونه لذت بخش تر کنه یادآوری میکنه. هر قانون یک حرفی برای گفتن داره و قابل لمسه. تقریبا قانونی پیدا نکردم که خیلی رویایی و دست نیافتنی باشه.
انگلیسی کتاب فوق العاده روان و ساده هست.

[غالية علي · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب و لأول مره أقرأ عن تطوير الذات بلا ملل !
مًمتع لآخر صفحه .

[Velvetink · Rating 5 out of 5]

kindle cloud - this was free and for a self-help motivation how do i live my life book, it was full of good stuff. Highly recommended.

[Abanoob Shenouda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish rubbish rubbish!!!! I did not even endure to continue reading it till the end. What the heck is this man writing in those papers. First of all, that catchy title is the trap for every buyer of this book, and I have to admit it that I fell in the same trap as well. I really regret the time I wasted reading it; contradictory rules, inapplicable rules, rules, rules, rules. Dude! life has no rules to be set for everyone. You created some rules? fine, they are yours then not for everyone since they worked with you. I totally respect the fact you want to put in all your life experiences in a book but this book could be entitled "Templar's rules", or "Templar's life" or whatever. I'm sorry for disappointing this book's readers, I just want to clarify my attitude towards what's inside this book. I will not continue reading this, or else I will be letting some weird thoughts into my head. I wish that goodreads administration or whoever in charge to add the option "stopped Reading" along with "currently reading" for situations like this. Thank you

[Hadeer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing I don't already know. Personally I'm not a fan of books telling me what to do. Instead I prefer reading studies and observations. Yet, I loved the book, not for the content but for the style. It's so simple and light, catchy and sincere *not pretentious*. And yeah the rules can be a reminder or something of how to deal with the day-to-day situations given that people don't have time to think anymore ! Anyone can read it for a break or something..
*yes 4 stars but I'm not buying the rest of the series: rules for work, parenting..etc"

[3alaiyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

بسيط سهل ممتع
يقنعك ويزودك بحب نفسك والاخرين والعالم اكثر فاكثر

[Alaa Saleh · Rating 4 out of 5]

إنها أمور واقعية،،
منطقية،،
معروفة إلى حد كبير
لكنها الكتاب يجعلها تبدو أوضح
وأسهل تطبيقًا
إنها تذكرة لكثير نسيناه أو تغافلنا عنه
......
جميل
كقلب من أهدانيه
=)

[اندروماخي · Rating 2 out of 5]

مناسب لمقاعد الانتظار وللشباب وللملولين

[أمل · Rating 5 out of 5]

من أروع ما قرات.

[أريج أبوحسان · Rating 5 out of 5]

سيساعدك هذا الكتاب لتطوير ذاتك بشكل سريع جدًا.

[طيف · Rating 5 out of 5]

رغم إختلاف ثقافتنا لكن قواعد ريتشارد تصلح للتطبيق في مجتمعنا العربي.. إستفدت منه كثيراً

[Maria Ninova · Rating 4 out of 5]

100 правила за живота - едно напомняне за това, какво е праивилно, как трябва да се отнасяме със себе си, партньора си, семейството и приятелите си. Едно правило просто изпъкна, а именно последното - да сме креативни и иновативни и да измисляме свои собствени правилата, които са най-релевантни за нас и ни определят! : )

[Chung Chin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Rules of Life is a collection of "rules" by Richard Templer on four areas of your life: self, spouse, family (parents and children), and friends. Each of these areas are separated into sections and within each sections, Richard Templar share with readers his observations on what successful people do.

The book has a light-read feel to it; readers who pick up the book should be able to finish it within two to three days. The writing is easy to comprehend but I am slightly annoyed at the frequent "disclaimer" that the writer put in this book. He will once in a while, try to make a joke, but will make a tiny note at the bottom of the page asking readers not to be offended or not to write in to him. This was fine for a little while, but eventually becomes a little annoying. I must say though, this is a personal opinion. Other readers may not find anything wrong with this.

As for the content, the rules are actually simple common sense. Still, I think if anyone has the time, they should pick up this book and just go through it quickly. It can be inspiring as it calls for the readers to be the better person in every situation. However, I wouldn't highly recommend it apart from being a night-time reading.

[Candleflame23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

‏



First of all I have to admit that I like the way that Mr Templer presents his thoughts in , it's easy , clear , deep and realistic which gives you a good life style .
This book should leave a great impact on your life , as will as it did to me . There are too many things that's iam really going to change in my own life style ,
There's some of the quotes that I like :

- What is done is done and you need to just get on with your life.
- Change what you can change and let go of the rest.
- Do the right thing every Time you know what it is.
- Dignity is about showing self respect and having quite self esteem.
- You will never understand everything.
- Being forgiving doesn't mean we have to be pushed around.


And much more , #theRulesofLife aren't about making money,it's about how you feel inside, how you affect people around you what sort of a friend, parent, and partner you are, what sort of impact you make on the world, and what sort of impression you leave in your wake.

#candleflame23
أبجدية_فرح

[Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is really Awesome and so inspiring ,all the rules are so practical and from now on i will try to apply them,well,at least some of them that stuck in my head and i like the rule 106 so much ,to be rule player ,you should also add your own rules which you learn everyday from life .we live and learn ,we get inspired ,we make mistakes and learn from them ,we make our own rules that we can modify them anytime or add to them ,all that helps to be a Rule player and to live a better ,happier and more successful life :)))

[Ahmed · Rating 1 out of 5]

كتاب ضعيف ...... لم اكمله ( اعطيته فرصه حتى الصفحه 100 ) لم اتحمل اكثر من هذا
صدمت فيه و فى قيمته و الضجه اللى اثرت حوله
لا ادرى لماذا الكاتب فخور بتجربته الشخصيه
و ما هى التجربه الخارقه فى ان يعيش مع جده و جدته و ان يذهب مع جدته للعمل يوميا
بصرف النظر عن ذلك ....... فهذا لا يعننى
القواعد قويه بس هى عنوين لموضوعات كبيره فى الاداره و التنميه البشريه
لكن اسلوبه ضعيف فى الاستدلال عليها .... و قصصه واهيه
................. طبعا فرق شاسع بينه و بين اسلوب استفين كوفى

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book just seemed to be repeating itself over and over again, and it was all very much common sense. It's good to keep around if you'd like a reminder of the same things, but there is no new information in here. The author's writing began to grow a bit tedious also.